Back home in Langhorne for game three of SOL-National conference play, the Redskins played host to Council Rock North. And although it probably needs not be said, the Indians served as Neshaminy’s first grid opponent way back in 1928. With the Council Rock school then known as the Newtown Iron Horse, the two teams have been lining up against each other for some 82 seasons now. The series has seen many exciting contests over those long years and the fans have come to expect nothing less when these neighborhood rivals meet.

Getting to the game, the Indians won the toss but deferred and kicked off instead. Working out well for the visitors, the Blue & Red went three and out and punted. After the exchange, it was then the Indians at their own ten to start their first offensive series. Going nowhere on that handling, the Indians then punted it back to Neshaminy which found itself in business at mid-field. Then in just the blink of an eye, it was Sean Ulmer here and there for some good yards down to the 36 followed by Corey Majors’ burst up the middle for six-points. The Manuel Gutierrez PAT was good and the scoreboard then rolled to 7-0.

After the kickoff it was then North starting at their 28. But still not getting much traction, they soon had punted the ball away to Neshaminy. After a little bit of nifty ball handling, Charlie Marterella soon found Dwight Williams streaking down the field for a beautiful 64-yard pass reception and touchdown. The PAT by Gutierrez was good once again and as the first-quarter ended, it was the Creek Kids on top 14-0.

With Neshaminy kicking it away again, the Indians still found no footing on offense and in short order, it was the Blue & Red with the ball once again on their own 38. From there it was just about everyone getting a piece of the action as the Ridgemen motored down the field before Ulmer leaped high in the air for the last one-yard and the score. Gutierrez's boot was good and it was then 21-0 for the home team.

After the kickoff, it was North back with the ball at its own 35 with just about six-minutes in the half. But rolling snake-eyes once more, it was another punt that saw Neshaminy’s Cole Creighton take the ball and set the ‘Skins up on their own 33. Failing to pick up the first down, a bad punt snap gave North the ball at the 20 but the first play saw the CR North quarterback pitch an interception which Bobby Marterella snagged at the one-yard line. From there it was Ulmer bursting out to the 27 on a nice run that got the ‘Skins out of the shadow of their own end zone. A few more runs, and a nice grab by Justin Andrews, saw the ball down to the Indians’ 30 with just about a minute left before the break. With the ‘Skins going to a fourth and 14, it was Williams who then pulled in a rifle of a pass that saw him get to the six yard stripe with 30 seconds on the clock. But it was to no avail as an errant pass was then picked off by the Indians and from there the clock was allowed to burn down to zero.

Back on the field after the break, it was the Indians receiving and setting up on their own 27 to start the second-half action. Going to fourth down, the Indians tried a fake punt and failed to make it as the ‘Skins took over on the 35 after the stop. From there it was Ulmer getting the ball on five straight carries as he pounded his way to the 13. But the following four straight plays went nowhere and the Indians took it back at their 17.

Looking like nothing had changed, North lost the handle on the ball as Neshaminy caught a break as they recovered the loose ball. Back in charge at the 26, this time Anthony Woodroffe wasted no time in finding the back ten as he took it the distance on the first offensive play. With the PAT good, the score then stood at 28-0. A short kickoff and nice return had North then set up at their own 35 but they had to punt once again as they failed to secure the first. After the punt, it was Neshaminy starting at their own 28 with three minutes remaining in the third-period. Looking good, the ‘Skins had it out to mid-field before a Marterella pass went awry and was pulled in by a defender as North then had the ball at their 35.

Still finding no offensive juice, North punted it away after another three and out as Neshaminy then had it on their own 40. From there a couple of nice catches featuring Charlie to Bobby, helped move the ball down the field through the air while Woodroffe looked unstoppable on the ground. Finally getting to the one, it was Nate Lasalvia who took it in for the score. With the PAT good, the score then became 35-0.

With the Mercy Rule in effect, and new players piling in for the Blue & Red, North kept pushing as they scored with less than three minutes to play. Going for two, the Indians made it as the ‘Skins lead shrunk to 35-8. And showing they weren’t quitters, North then tried an onsides kick but Neshaminy came up with the ball. With “subs” still the order of the day, a new cast of characters came in for Langhorne and after the three and out, the Redskins punted. Setting up on their 28, and very little time showing on the clock, the Indians were still firing for the end zone. But coming up a little short, the gun soon sounded the end of the game.

So here it comes: Game to ‘Skins!

Having now pushed their record to 6-0, Langhorne is solidly in the hunt for both the National conference title and a good post-season playoff seeding. And back home once again next Friday, it’s Council Rock South coming to town as the ‘Skins continue with league play. It should be a doozy too as the Golden Hawks are a very special team this season that will certainly be bringing their “A” game with them.

See you at the game.